How many hours can you work in a day legally?

A:

Quick Answer

Federal law does not restrict the number of hours an individual aged 16 or older is allowed to work in a single day. The law mandates that employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act must receive overtime pay of at least 1 1/2 times their regular pay if their employer requires them to work more than 40 hours in a work week.

A short break of only a few minutes usually is considered part of the work day and employers generally compensate employees for these breaks. Meal-time breaks lasting 30 minutes or more are not considered part of an employee's working hours and usually are uncompensated.

Related Questions

The legal reference company, Nolo, says that the first step in claiming unpaid wages is the submission of written demand for payment to the employer owing them. If the employer still retains wages, the employee should go to the state's labor relations board and file a claim with the appropriate paperwork proving wages are owed.

Variable shift work, or rotating shifts, can be implemented on a daily or on a weekly basis. Usually, variable shifts are set up in response to variable workplace demands, according to ShiftWork Solutions. An example of a worker following a variable shift schedule is a nurse who alternates between an evening and night schedule in her work.

Motivation is one of the crucial ingredients for job satisfaction, preventing employees from becoming bored and giving them a sense that they are achieving something worthwhile. Prestige and high pay only go so far when it comes to producing satisfied employees.

An apprentice electrician can make anywhere from $14,475 to $24,175, according to the Houston Chronicle. An apprentice generally makes 30 to 50 percent less than an electrician. Pay for an apprentice increases with experience and a proven track record of success. Overtime pay is also given to apprentices because they work under the guidance of experienced technicians.